Thorobreds go for SIAC crown

The Kentucky State football team has put itself in position to do something no other KSU football team has ever done: win the Southern Intercolleigate Athletic Conference.

The Thorobreds can wrap up their first-ever SIAC championship with a win over Fort Valley State University Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium. Moreover, a win over FVSU and KSU better positions itself for a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The players have taken notice, and everyone wants to come out on the high end of the totem pole.

"Just to do it we can be remembered as one of the best teams in school history," quarterback Joe McBride said, "or just one of the other teams at the school."

The Thorobreds were ranked seventh in the most recent NCAA Division II South Region football poll. A ranking of fourth or better at the end of the season will qualify K-State for the playoffs.

For KSU to be successful, the defense will have to stop the run. Fort Valley State features two bruising running backs - Duron Croson, a preseason all-American, and Derrick Wimbush, a highly touted junior college transfer. Both stand 6-3 and 220 pounds and are the key to the Wildcats' offensive aresenal, KSU coach Donald Smith said.

Wimbush was named the SIAC's offensive player of the week after Fort Valley's 46-6 win over Stillman last week.

"For them to be successful they'll have to run it, and they'll plan on running it over you," Smith said. "Our game plan is to stop their run and make them throw it."